2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Mexico
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in New Mexico
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
New Mexico Military Institute earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in New Mexico. New Mexico Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Roswell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,190, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico Military Institute earn a median of $10,627 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus, which ranked #2. Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public school located in the town of Ruidoso. Students from in state pay about $1,372 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,268. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,110. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,110. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Grants is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,497 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Grants generally make around $27,868. That is a strong return on a $10,497 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,097 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $18,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,706. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,158. Set against $16,706 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,084 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,417. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Carlsbad, New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,176, compared with $4,008 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico State University Carlsbad generally make around $30,774.
San Juan College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,402. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $17,969. Set against $6,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Navajo Technical College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Crownpoint, Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,498. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,364 ten years after entry.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,497 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,868. Set against $10,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,878 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus generally make around $22,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Junior College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Hobbs, New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,440, while out-of-state students pay about $2,280. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,179. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern New Mexico College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.
Western New Mexico University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Alamogordo earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Alamogordo, New Mexico State University Alamogordo is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $6,072 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,497 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New Mexico State University Alamogordo earn a median of $27,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,497 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,577 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Mesalands Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Mesalands Community College is a small public school located in the town of Tucumcari. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $3,408. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,517.
University Of New Mexico Taos Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $5,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,084 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Fe Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Los Alamos, University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,214, while out-of-state students pay about $5,578. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,084. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus earn a median of $22,417 early in their careers. Set against $10,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $28,606. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $26,461. That is a strong return on a $28,606 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,605 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $26,923 early in their careers. Set against $16,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of The Southwest placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,670. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,907. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
